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The Daily Mail is campaigning for an automatic block on online porn, with over 18s able to access adult sites by ‘opting in’ following a strict age check.

There are concerns children could visit Starbucks to look at sites they are barred from seeing in their home

Baroness Massey was speaking in a Lords debate on a Private Members’ Bill introduced by Baroness Howe – wife of former Tory chancellor Geoffrey – to implement an ‘opt-in’ system.

‘Some time ago, McDonald’s told its wi-fi supplier that it did not want customers coming in to bring up pornographic images people sitting on nearby tables may see,’ she said.

‘How many other high street brands take a similar responsible view?’

Referring to one case she had heard from a concerned parent, she said: ‘In the pub, where children are not admitted, the wi-fi is provided by O2.

In Starbucks, where children are allowed, the wi-fi is provided by BT Openzone.

‘O2’s wi-fi services do not allow access to pornographic websites. In Starbucks anyone can have full access to anything the internet has to offer including the most obscene pornographic websites.

‘Until recently I was not aware that Starbucks is so lax about this, or that apparently it pays no tax in this country. I, for one, will never set foot in Starbucks again unless these issues are sorted out.’

A spokesman for Starbucks confirmed that no filter was in place to block porn, adding: ‘We have been working on a solution with our provider, BT.’

A spokesman for BT said: ‘Wi-fi at our partner sites has traditionally been a business service, largely paid for by credit or debit card. Now that some retailers offer wi-fi for free, the need for parental controls has developed.’